KUALA LUMPUR – Frustrated by the apparent lack of effort to implement flood mitigation programmes, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today took a swipe at the government for prioritising spending that only appears to benefit the rich.
In a video uploaded on his Facebook page, the PKR president said the government had neglected carrying out projects that could prevent floods, such as river expansion and building flood walls on riverbanks.
“Oh, you want to save money? You have got no money? You can spend billions of ringgit for the East Coast Rail Link and High-Speed Rail, but not on projects that affect the commoners?
“If we look at Covid-19, the ones most affected are the poor. During the floods, the poor are similarly affected. We are treating these people like we don’t care about them.
“When it comes to matters like this, we always say we don’t have enough money. But when it comes to spending big, having 70 ministers and deputies with all sorts of benefits, we never talk about money.”
Anwar said this during his visit to Melaka today to look at the impact of the floods that have killed over 50 people nationwide and affected thousands more.
The Port Dickson MP said the government’s slowness to act on the flood and provide aid to victims demands an immediate explanation in Parliament.
“Parliament exists, so let the MPs debate. Like me, I don’t know a lot about the problems in Melaka, so we can allow (MPs from the state like) Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin to explain.
“Similarly, (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob won’t know about Port Dickson, so I can explain. Let there be discussions, and listen to the people on what the problems are.”
On the same note, Anwar lambasted the government over logging activities rampantly carried out in the country, and urged for an immediate stop to such activities.
“Huge logs end up at people’s front doors (after the floods). What type of government is this, showing no concern at all? That is why there have been calls to immediately stop logging activities and review existing approvals.”
He also urged companies involved in such businesses to give back to the community by providing financial aid.
“These firms have profited hundreds of millions of ringgit, but can’t even give a RM200 assistance to the villagers.
“Remember, it was your wickedness that damaged the environment, caused terrible erosions, and troubled the rakyat.” – The Vibes, January 6, 2022
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